Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-04-28
The Lesson OF the Two Juries.

From the Chicago News
Two what extent the lcaven OF the few
may influence the conduct and character
OF nm entire community whether for
good or evil. has been slrikingly Illus.
trntcd within the last few days by the
actions OF two traverse jurlcs In
Woodbury. county, Iowa. the influential
citizens, the leaders, the men who give
the tone and direction TO its sentiment
and activity, haye openly and aggressive.
" held aud taught that law may be vic.
lated and set ut ilnught II Its enforcement
he likely to interfere with material inter
csts. Legislative restriction OF the liquor
traffic was regarded as inimical 10 the
growth and prosperity Of the county and
of its principal town, and the efforts OF
the advocates OF the law were considered
as those OF n public enemy. Under such
influences the public conscience became
bluntcd and the moral sense OF the COM
munity so perverted that when Mr.
IladdoCk was shot down In cold blood
tho popular verdict Justified the act IA u
wnrrantable removal. and till stung
into action by outside criticism and slim,
ulnted by outside agencies no steps were
taken toward bringing the guilty 10 pun
ishment. When Mt last such steps were
tnrdily and reluctantly taken they ter.
minated In the impaneling OF a jury or
ganized TO thwart justice and 20 shield
the accused, The II jurors who, in
reckless defiance Of the evidence and az
the conflicting theories of the defense.
held out for the acquittal Of John Arcns
dorf fairly reflected the low moral senti
ment OF Sioux City and Woodbury.
pniInty They were tho lopicnl proliict
or regime OF iaw-breaking, oi brutal
intolerance, OF sympathy WIN inc dan"
gerons classes OF the community.
Wltnin iorty.elBht hours aIter the SIOUX
CITY disagreement jury W 6r'indy
county, limos, rendered u verdict which
commands the respect ana confidence OF
every unpreluulced observer OF the dc
velopmcnls OF the trlhi Inc case was
much more complex ana obscure thnn
that submitted TO the woodbury. county
jury. 1he evidence was purely clrcuf'.
stantial, ana involved the examination OF
over hundred witnesses, occupying two
weeks and half In testifying, and the
defense was conducted ny nve able law
yers-' the peers at least OF the ablest OF
Arcnsdorf's defenders week was con
snmed IN selecting the jury out OF np-
ward OF two hundred individuals sum,
moncd; but the character OF the commt-
nifty from which they were selected may
be fairly inferred from the Tact that the
State used less than one.balf OF its pc
remptory challenges while the defense
failed to exhaust those to which II was
entitled. There was no prejudice or
bias for or against the accused OF which
II was necessary for either side to be
wary. When the twelve good men and
true were sworn both prosecution and
defense were satisfied that an honest yer
dict would be rendered. With Inweari
ed patience these twelve men sat and ~
tcntively listened for fifteen days 70 the
testimony OF JOG witnesses, weighing
carefully, impartially, and intelligently
the evidence Of each, and at the close
they had arrived at a positive conviction
OF the completely OF schwartz ana watt